Free for All: The Five Best Free Events in Denver May 8-13

Denver is branching out, with Blue Trees-inspired events where you can contemplate creativity in silence or listen to musicians belt out the blues. Meanwhile, comics will share tales from their travels, and other artists while explore gentrification here at home. Keep reading for five of the best free activities in town this week.

Hear the blues by the Blue Trees.

Sacred Art: A Free Open Meditation
Monday, May 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In front of Colorado Convention Center
Konstantin Dimopoulos’s Blue Trees have sprouted along 14th Street, and every Monday through May 22, life coach Kimberly Allyse Johnson will be encouraging people to take a break from the urban environment and experience a personal meditative moment. Sound-isolating headphones will be provided, with the option for guided meditation or peaceful ambient music. These lunchtime sessions are just some of the free events associated with the project; from 5 to 7 p.m., Al Chesis and the Delta Sonics will offer blues music in the Galleria, and on Friday, May 15, Block 1750 will offer Street Cyphers from 6 to 8 p.m. Find more information at the Denver Theatre District’s Blue Trees Facebook page.

Ratio Comedy: Tales From the Road
Wednesday, May 10, 8 p.m.
Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer Street
Ratio Beerworks and Ratio Comedy present a new storytelling show focused on stories from folks who spend a lot of their time touring and traveling, from musicians to wrestlers to comedians and everything in between. Ian Douglas Terry and Nick Gossert will host an evening that features Timmi Lasley, Liz Marsh, Will Hancock, Joe McDougal and more. The show is free, but come early for a happy hour where $1 from every beer you buy will go to the charity of your choice. Find out more on the Ratio Beerworks Facebook page.

Kate Speer in Borderlandia.

Thursday, May 11, 6 p.m.
PlatteForum, 2400 Curtis Street
“Borderlandia” was created by Kate Speer during her two-month residency at PlatteForum; she worked with students from the Colorado I Have a Dream Ruby Hill Strive Prep Program on an immersive piece that investigates Denver’s neighborhood segregation and gentrification. “As I bike around Denver, I am continually struck by the racial and ethnic segregations between neighborhoods and the rapid gentrification taking over the city,” Speer explains on the PlatteForum site. “Being a white female of the hipster generation, I am also aware of my movement and how easily and comfortably I can pass through the newly gentrified neighborhoods, such as RiNo. This led me to think about my complicity as an artist in this rapidly changing landscape and how I personally, and anyone who calls Denver home, can establish a sense of place.” There will be additional free performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. For more information, visit platteforum.org.

Keep reading for more free events ahead.

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Kismet’s original store opened eleven years ago.

Kismet Eleventh Birthday
Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
3460 West 32nd Avenue and two more locations
Kismet, a local boutique, opened eleven years ago and today has a trio stores in Denver. All three will celebrate this anniversary with bubbly, nibbles and trunk shows featuring local artisans. The original store in Highland, at 3640 West 32nd Avenue, will show Bradyann Designs; the store at 200 Quebec Street, building 500 #101, in Lowry Town Center, will have Mercer and Jayne handcrafted Jewelry, and the Cherry Hill Marketplace location, at 2500 East Orchard Road, will host a CoFi genuine leather pop-up. And Kismet now has a sibling store, True, at the Stanley marketplace. Find out about all of the locations at kismetaccessories.com.

District 1 Creatives Meetup
Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m.
Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo Street
Denver Arts & Venues and Councilman Rafael Espinosa are inviting all Denver City Council District 1 artists, creatives, business owners and cultural workers to a Creatives Meetup to learn about cultural programming in the area as well as funding opportunities. Admission is free; refreshments will be served. Find out more on the Arts & Venues website.